Attaching objects to footwear

ABSTRACT

A shoe or other type of footwear includes a foot covering through which a threaded connector part passes. An ornament or useable object includes a mating threaded connector, enabling attachment of the object to the footwear. A resilient ring or washer is positioned between the mating threaded connectors, and enables rotation of the object to a desired orientation after a sufficiently secure connection is formed between the object and the footwear.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of U.S. Design Patent Application No.29/387,292, filed Mar. 11, 2011, entitled “SHOE ORNAMENT ATTACHMENT”,and U.S. Design Patent Application No. 29/387,295, filed Mar. 11, 2011,entitled “GEL SHOE”, each of which is hereby incorporated by referencein their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to attachments to footwear, and more particularlyto replaceably attaching objects or ornaments thereto.

BACKGROUND

Footwear may be ornamented to improve or change appearance. Articles maybe attached to the footwear by various means including gluing, sewing,hook and loop fastener, strings, and buckles. Articles attachableinclude ornaments and coverings.

The art described in this section is not intended to constitute anadmission that any patent, publication or other information referred toherein is “prior art” with respect to this disclosure, unlessspecifically designated as such. In addition, this section should not beconstrued to mean that a search has been made or that no other pertinentinformation as defined in 37 CFR §1.56(a) exists.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present disclosure, and theattendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readilyunderstood by reference to the following detailed description whenconsidered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top view of an embodiment of footwear in accordance with thedisclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary design of footwear inaccordance with the disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a pair of footwear in accordance with the disclosure,illustrating an exemplary attachment;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged top view of the exemplary attachment of FIG. 3,detached from the footwear;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the attachment of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6A illustrates the region of the enlarged view of FIG. 6B, in whicha perspective view of a base fastener of the disclosure is shown;

FIG. 7 illustrates a portion of a bottom of an exemplary attachment,showing a threaded connector portion;

FIG. 8 illustrates the connector portion of FIG. 7, further including aresilient washer in accordance with the disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the threaded base fastener of FIG. 6B;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a footwear upper incorporating abase fastener of the disclosure, taken through a threaded connectorportion;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a base fastener of the disclosureincorporating projections for engaging a footwear upper, and anattachment positioned for engagement to the base fastener;

FIGS. 12-15 depict a perspective view of a base fastener and attachmentin stages of mutual engagement; and

FIG. 16 depicts a footwear upper assembly including a base fastener inaccordance with the disclosure, the assembly connectable to a remainingfootwear portion to form a completed footwear.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

As required, detailed embodiments are disclosed herein; however, it isto be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples andthat the systems and methods described below can be embodied in variousforms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosedherein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis forthe claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in theart to variously employ the present subject matter in virtually anyappropriately detailed structure and function. Further, the terms andphrases used herein are not intended to be limiting, but rather, toprovide an understandable description of the concepts.

The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one or more thanone. The term plurality, as used herein, is defined as two or more thantwo. The term another, as used herein, is defined as at least a secondor more. The terms “including” and “having,” as used herein, are definedas comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled,” as used herein,is defined as “connected,” although not necessarily directly, and notnecessarily mechanically.

With reference to the Figures, and to FIGS. 1-5 in particular, footwear100 includes a vamp or upper 102. Upper 102 is provided with a couplingbase 104, disposed to be accessible from an exterior of footwear 100. Inthe embodiment of FIGS. 1-5, a sandal or flip-flop is illustrated,although it should be understood that the instant disclosure isapplicable to all manner of footwear or foot covering, includingsandals, shoes, and boots, and for dress, casual, athletic, or workrelated purposes.

FIG. 2 illustrates the footwear of FIG. 1, in perspective, with anexemplary ornament 200 shown in greater detail, and with variouspatterns presented upon footwear 100. Additionally, the footwear of FIG.2 is a sandal made with a transparent or semitransparent gel polymer. Itshould be understood, however, that any known or hereinafter discoveredmaterial may be used in combination with the disclosure.

In FIG. 3, a pair of footwear 100 is shown, each of a left 100A andright 100B footwear being provided with an object, ornament, orattachment 200. In FIGS. 4 and 5, attachment 200 is shown separated fromfootwear 100, in top and bottom views, respectively. While a flower typedesign is shown in the illustrations, it should be understood that thenature and appearance of attachment 200 may be any of a wide variety ofstructures, including fanciful or decorative objects, including jeweledor other artistic ornaments formed of any material, or functionalstructures, including for example containers, wear resistant pads,protective skins or overlays, electronic devices, for examplepedometers, timers, or sensors, or any other object which mayadvantageously be affixed to footwear. In FIG. 4, a threaded shaftextends from a bottom side of attachment 200, as is explained more fullybelow.

Referring now to FIGS. 6A, 6B, an enlarged view of coupling base 104 isshown, including a flanged threaded base fastener 106 extending from asurface 108 of upper 102, base fastener 106 surrounded by a supportiveand masking frame 110. In FIG. 6B, frame 110 is molded together withmaterial forming upper 102; however, frame 110 may be providedseparately, and may be attached to upper 102 by any suitable means,including for example gluing, stapling, sewing, riveting, threadablyconnecting, press fitting, snap fitting, and buckling. Base fastener 106is advantageously laterally supported to prevent bending, and in oneembodiment, from passing through upper 102, by frame 110. Further, frame110 may be formed of a resilient or high friction material, for examplerubber or polymer, or may be provided with a textured surface, wherebycontact with an attached ornament 200 further prevents rotation ofornament 200.

In FIGS. 7-8, an underside of attachment 200 (shown in breakaway) isillustrated in greater detail. Threaded attachment fastener 206 extendsfrom an underside of attachment 200, and threadably and matingly engagesbase fastener 106. In FIG. 8, a locking spacer 204, for example awasher, is positioned upon attachment fastener 206, for example prior toassembly onto base fastener 106. Locking spacer 204 may be formed as astar, toothed, textured, split, wave, or spring washer, operative topromote a secure connection between base fastener 106 and attachmentfastener 206, once mutually assembled and tightened. Spacer 204 promotesa secure connection between base and attachment fasteners 106, 206,particularly during vibration attendant with walking or other motion.

In an embodiment, locking spacer 204 is formed as a resilient ring, tothereby exert a biasing force against both base fastener 106 andattachment fastener 206 after mutual tightening. Additionally, aresilient material additional introduces a high coefficient of friction(COF) to a union of fasteners 106, 206, thereby resisting undesiredrotation and separation of fasteners 106, 206. For example, a rubberspacer 204 may have a COF between 0.6 and 2.4, although a COF less than0.6 and higher than 2.4 are still effective in preventing mutualrelative rotation between fasteners 106, 206. Typically, materials arereadily available which may form a COF in connection with steel or othermetals, or other polymers or natural rubbers, within a COF range of 1 to2. Accordingly, spacer 204 may advantageously be formed of anelastomeric material, including a natural rubber or latex, a polymer,including delrin, polyurethane, nylon, or other suitable polymericmaterial or blended material. Spacer 204 may advantageously be fastenedto attachment fastener 206 to remain securely thereupon, for example bybeing press fit to a base of attachment fastener 206.

Resilient spacer 204 further serves to enable a secure connectionbetween base and attachment fasteners while enabling a specificorientation of attachment 200. For example, a thickness of spacer 204may enable 180 degrees or more of rotation of attachment 200, whilemaintaining a sufficient stabilization and COF between base andattachment fasteners 106, 206 to prevent further relative rotationduring an expected use of footwear 100.

It should be understood that while base fastener 106 is illustrated toform a threaded cavity 126, and attachment fastener 206 is illustratedto form a threaded shaft or post, these respective configurations may bereversed, wherein base fastener 106 may be formed as a threaded post,and attachment fastener 206 formed as a threaded cavity, withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Additionally,while a threaded connection is illustrated between base and attachmentfasteners 106, 206, it should be understood that a push lock, twistlock, or other rotating type connector may alternatively be used toengage base and attachment fasteners 106, 206.

Referring now to FIGS. 9-11, base fastener 106 is advantageously formedin the manner of a a t-nut, blind nut, or slab weld nut. As such, aplate 116, is sized larger than an aperture 118 in upper 102, throughwhich a threaded portion 120 of base fastener 106 extends. Plate 116 isadvantageously formed as an irregular, oblong, or rectilinear shape, forexample a rectangle, whereby a recess 122 in aperture 118 may be sizedto matingly receive plate 116, thereby preventing plate 116 and basefastener 106 from rotating with respect to upper 102 as attachment 200is tightened and worn. To further reduce a possibility of base fastener106 rotating, extensions, for example prongs 124, may project from basefastener 106, for example from threaded cavity 126, or plate 116, toengage inner surface of aperture 118. Additionally, plate 116 or may beprovided with prongs 124, or may be adhered, seated or embedded within aresilient frame, or otherwise affixed to upper 102.

In accordance with the disclosure, it is advantageous that no portion,or substantially no significant portion, of base fastener 106 extends orprotrudes into a space occupied by the foot of a wearer, therebypreserving the comfort of footwear 100. Additionally cushioning may beprovided between base fastener 106 and an interior of footwear 100, tofurther ensure a wearer's comfort during use of footwear 100.

In FIG. 10, it may be seen that base fastener 106 has been inserted intoupper 102 past a protruding portion, such as a projecting finger,flange, lip or rim 134 formed in or connected to upper 102. As plate 116or other portion of base fastener 106 is pushed past rim 134,resiliently expanding rim 134, a snap or tactile feedback may beperceived, whereafter base fastener 106 is retained within upper 102 byrim 134, which has resiliently resumed a previous configuration,blocking an exit of base fastener 106 from upper 102.

While base fastener 106 has been shown and described configured toextend from an upper surface of upper 102, it should be understood thatbase fastener 106 may be positioned at any location upon footwear 100,including a toe, side surface, sole, heel, or any other portion offootwear 100 which covers a portion of a wearer's foot.

As may be seen in FIGS. 11-15, threaded cavity 126 may be sized to enterinto a mating canal or recess 208 within attachment fastener 206 ofattachment 200, for example by engaging mating threads and rotating, forexample, in the direction indicated by arrow “A”. In this manner, matedbase fastener 106 and attachment fastener 206 are better concealedbeneath attachment 200. Additionally, recess 208 may contain spacer 204,so that when threaded cavity is seated and tightened within recess 208,spacer 204 is not visible, yet forms the resilient connection describedelsewhere herein.

In another embodiment, a resilient surface 130 may alternatively oradditionally be formed at an upper surface of threaded cavity 126, toengage one or more surfaces of recess 208, promoting a secure connectionbetween mated base and attachment fasteners 106, 206. In anotherembodiment, resilient surface 130 is sized to form an interference fitwith one or more ribs 230, which may also be resilient, which extendwithin recess 208. In this manner, a snap may be perceived, for exampleheard or felt, as attachment 200 is rotated past the position indicatedby arrow “B”, to the position indicated in FIG. 15, whereby fastener andattachment bases 106, 206 are sufficiently securely engaged.Accordingly, a user may become aware that attachment 200 is reliablyengaged.

FIG. 16 illustrates an upper 102 which is formed to include couplingbase 104, into which a base fastener 106 may be inserted. Upper 102 maybe provided with anchors 132 which may engage a sole, existing upper, orother portion of footwear 100, whereby footwear 100 may be assembled ormodified to include upper 102 and coupling base 104. In this manner,existing footwear may be adapted to include the features of thedisclosure, or footwear 100 may be adapted to include an alternativeupper 102 design, or an alternative style or location of coupling base104.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the presentdisclosure is not limited to what has been particularly shown anddescribed herein above. In addition, unless mention was made above tothe contrary, it should be noted that all of the accompanying drawingsare not to scale. A variety of modifications and variations are possiblein light of the above teachings without departing from the scope andspirit of the disclosure.

All references cited herein are expressly incorporated by reference intheir entirety. In addition, unless mention was made above to thecontrary, it should be noted that all of the accompanying drawings arenot to scale. There are many different features to the presentdisclosure and it is contemplated that these features may be usedtogether or separately. Thus, the disclosure should not be limited toany particular combination of features or to a particular application ofthe disclosure. Further, it should be understood that variations andmodifications within the spirit and scope of the disclosure might occurto those skilled in the art to which the disclosure pertains.Accordingly, all expedient modifications readily attainable by oneversed in the art from the disclosure set forth herein that are withinthe scope and spirit of the present disclosure are to be included asfurther embodiments of the present disclosure.

1. Footwear, comprising: a foot covering portion; a base fastenerincluding a first mateable connector portion; one or more attachmentobjects each having a second mateable connector portion mateablyengageable with the first mateable connector portion; a resilientlocking spacer positionable between the first and second mateableconnector when the first and second mateable connector portions aremated, the resilient locking spacer operable to increase a frictionalengagement between the first and second mateable connectors, to therebymaintain a mutual position of the first and second mateable connectorportions during use of the footwear.
 2. Footwear, comprising: a footcovering portion; a base fastener including a first threaded connectorportion; one or more attachment objects each having a second threadedconnector portion threadably engageable with the first threadedconnector portion; a resilient locking washer positionable between thefirst and second threaded connector portions when the first and secondmateable connector portions are mated, the resilient locking washeroperable to increase a frictional engagement between the first andsecond mateable connectors, to thereby resist mutual rotation of thefirst and second mateable connector portions during use of the footwear.3. The footwear of claim 2, wherein the resilient locking washer isoperable to resist mutual rotation of the second mateable connector withrespect to the first mateable connector when the second connector ispositioned at any rotational position within 180 degrees of rotation. 4.Footwear, comprising: a footwear upper; a base fastener including afirst threaded connector portion, the base fastener including a plateand a threaded member extending transverse to a plane defined by theelongated plate, the threaded member passable through the footwear upperand the plate not passable through the footwear upper; one or moreornamental objects each having a second threaded connector portionthreadably engageable with the threaded member of the first threadedconnector portion; a resilient locking washer, formed from anelastomeric material, positionable between the first and second threadedconnector portions when the first and second mateable connector portionsare mated, the resilient locking washer operable to increase africtional engagement between the first and second mateable connectors,to thereby resist mutual rotation of the first and second mateableconnector portions during use of the footwear.
 5. The footwear of claim4, wherein the plate is elongated.
 6. The footwear of claim 5, whereinthe plate is framed by the footwear upper.
 7. Footwear, comprising: afootwear upper; a base fastener including a first threaded connectorportion, the base fastener including a plate and a threaded memberextending transverse to a plane defined by the elongated plate, thethreaded member passable through the footwear upper and the plate notpassable through the footwear upper; one or more ornamental objects eachhaving a second threaded connector portion threadably engageable withthe threaded member of the first threaded connector portion; a resilientlocking ring, formed from an elastomeric material, positionable betweenthe first and second threaded connector portions when the first andsecond mateable connector portions are mated, the resilient locking ringoperable to increase a frictional engagement between the first andsecond mateable connectors, to thereby resist mutual rotation of thefirst and second mateable connector portions during use of the footwear,the resilient locking ring operable to create a perceptible snap when anornamental object and the base fastener are securely engaged.
 8. Thefootwear of claim 1, where the upper includes a resilient material. 9.The footwear of claim 1, wherein the first mateable connection is athreaded chamber and the second mateable connection is a threaded post.